At its meeting today, the Santa Monica Architecture Review Board is scheduled to take its first look at a proposed mixed-use apartment complex just blocks from the Expo Line.

The proposed development, slated for a property at 1543 7th Street, would replace an auto storage building, a parking lot, and three apartments with an eight-story edifice featuring 100 residential units and 4,441 square feet of ground-floor retail space.  Plans call for a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom dwellings, to be served by 85 non-required parking stalls on three subterranean levels.

The project would also create 25 units of affordable housing, to be located in a building across the street at 1514 7th Street.

KFA Architecture is designing 1543 7th Street, which would place its apartments on six levels arranged around a central courtyard.  Additional open space for residents is planned in the form of a rooftop deck.

Architectural plans link the proposed development to NMS Properties, one of Santa Monica's biggest landlords.  Many of the company's development sites have been spun off to a separate firm, WS Communities.

The project site abuts a 100-unit apartment building now being built by WS Communities, and a proposed affordable housing development fronting Colorado Street.